Districts played key role in matric success – Saul

AS THE Northern Cape received applause for recording an overall matric pass rate of 84.2%, reflecting an 8.4% increase from 75.8% in 2023, Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul highlighted that for the first time, all five districts in the Province achieved a pass rate above 80%.

Saul outlined the Province’s overall performance during a media briefing held before the Matric Awards ceremony at Taberna Dei in Kimberley on Tuesday. He noted that the provincial matric results have shown consistent improvement over the past five years.

He added that the Class of 2024 had surpassed the local government’s expectations by achieving a pass rate above 80%.

“Over the past five years, we have seen a steady growth of 18.2% in the matric pass rate, from 66% to 84.2%. From 66% we increased to 69%, then to 72% and thereafter to 75%. There has not been a regression over the past years. This means we will sustain this progression,” said Saul.

He added, “The difference between the Northern Cape and the top-performing province in the country, the Free State, which achieved a pass rate of 91%, is only 7%. Compared to other years where there were double digits between us and the number one performing province nationally. These results are an indication that we are reducing that space and we are producing good quality work at our schools.”

Saul also highlighted improvements in Bachelor’s degree passes and subject distinctions in the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination.

“Out of 12,937 full-time candidates who sat for the NSC exams, 2,034 subject distinctions were obtained - an increase of 4%. Additionally, 4,951 learners qualified for Bachelor’s degree studies, reflecting an increase of more than 8%. We had an increase in both distinctions and Bachelor’s passes,” he said.

Despite these achievements, Saul acknowledged that more support is needed in Mathematics and Physical Science.

“The performance of learners in Mathematics has increased by 5.8% while Physical Science increased by just 0.6%. The pass rate in mathematics stands at 63% while the pass rate in physical science is at 67%. We will place more focus on these subjects in 2025 to increase participation and improve performance, which will broaden the landscape of possibilities for our learners,” said Saul.

Saul emphasised that improvements in the Frances Baard and John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) districts played a significant role in the Province’s overall success.

“We have been struggling with Frances Baard for the past years. The districts that have been dragging our results down are the Frances Baard and JTG districts. Frances Baard accounts for about 40% of our learners, and over the past five years they have been unable to produce results above 80%. For the first time, Frances Baard and JTG managed to secure 80%. That was the reason we were able to break through the glass ceiling of 80% as a Province,” he noted.

Saul also acknowledged the top-performing districts in the Province.

“The best-performing district in the Province is ZF Mgcawu with 86.3%, followed by Namakwa District with 85.9%, Pixley ka Seme with 85 4%, Frances Baard with 84.6% (an increase of 10.7%), and John Taolo Gaetsewe with 81.4%, which saw an increase of 7.7%. All our districts recorded significant increases, which is the reason why we recorded such a final pass rate.

“We want to congratulate ZF Mgcawu, which is our best-performing district, and Pixley ka Seme, which recorded the highest improvement, but we cannot leave Frances Baard District behind as they have also secured a record high increase,” he emphasised.

Saul assured that schools that did not perform well, would not be left behind.

“We have agreed that we need to classify all schools that performed below 70% as under-performing schools. For the 2024 NSC, we had 20 schools that performed below 70% in the Province. In our efforts to further improve our results, we will assess our provincial improvement plan. As the Northern Cape provincial government, we pledge to continue to support those schools that do not meet the minimum requirements to pass. We will assist them in the subjects they did not achieve, to ensure that they complete the requirements for passing. We also urge parents to seek the necessary support from schools,” Saul concluded.